Web aligning device



Oct- 9, 1,951 P LEvlNE WEB ALIGNING DEVICE s sheis-sheet 1v Filed March 21, 194'? nventt /mz/ e Vine Patentecl Oct. 9, 1951 UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE WEB ALIGNIN G DEVICE Pal Levine, New York, N.- Yk, assigner of' one"-l third to Hillel Levine, Brooklyn, and one-third to James Levine, Flushing, N; Y.

ApplicationMarch 21, 194.7, Serial N o.' 736,207.

125 Claims.- 1

This invention relates to a device for hemming. the edge .of a fabric. More particularly, the inventi'on is concerned with a. device which includes means for automatically aligningV the edge'ofa web or fabricmoving' through the device, with respect to the stitchingportion ofthe device, thereby producingia. uniformly Vhemmed' product.

. Anob'ljectofsthis" invention is to. provide a de.- vice which includes means .for continuously feed ing. fabric to be' hemmed, through theV device, means for laterally shifting the moving' fabric in eitherdirection and' means for automatically lim.- i'tingthe lateralshift ofthe fabric,y thereby keep` ing .the fabric in a predetermined path of travel.

Ai further object ofthis, invention is to provide in a web-feeding device, automatic means for maintaining the edge of the web' moving .through the device in aA predetermined path. of travel wherein the. said means comprises a. l`ead,.screw rotatable in either direction andin engagement Withthe web and 'adapted to. shift" the webllaterally in either direction and meansincludinga sW-i-tch actuatedby contactwith" theedgeof the laterally shiftingweb for determining .the direction of rotation of the lead screW-andlimiting the shiftingl movement.A of the..web`.

Yet another object of. this invention to. pro.- vide in a fabric or webhemming device the com. binationcf a sewing means, afabric .edge a1ign. ing means, and'..fabri`c feeding means,= eachcf said L means. being interconnected L to a.. constant speed, unidirectional'motor, together with means for varying -the speedfoffthe fabric feeding means andthe lengthV of stitch made. .by the sewing means.

Still a furtherob'jectof this inventionis to provide. in a fabric hemming device, the combina.- tion.of folding means. fr producingthe hem in the fabricand switch` actuated meansfor keeping the edge ofthe fabric in a predetermined. pathof travel during. its passage through the device wherein the. folding means and the. position-of. the. .switch .mayI be adjusted to. `produce hems.. of dierent widths.

Still another objectv of this invention is to pro1 vide. an improved hemmingdevice andwebaligm. ingmeans of the. characterl described-which is adaptedfor use .in .thehemmingof webs as well as -aligning longitudinally moving fabrics, Ywhich shall .require a-.minimum. amount .of attention ,on thepart oftheoperator, which shall besure and positive. in .operation and. yet` practical? and ef-` ficient to ahigh degree-muse,

' Other. objects .of this` invention.. will in -part be obvious and. parthereinafter. pointedlout.

The invention accordingly consists in the-fea@ tures of*construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims. Y

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of thisinvention,

Fig. 1 isV a front elevational view of the hem'- ming device embodying the invention, with parts removed;

Fig, 2 is a side elevational view' of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig.V 3 is a top plan View of the'rotatable means for laterallyshifting fabric together withasso'-A ciated switch controlled mea-ns for'reversing the direction of rotation of said rotatable means;-

Fig. 4 isa top plan viewof the' details 0f the reversing means shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front'elevational view of the means shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuit interconnecting the reversing means and switch means shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a front elevational view of the switch means indicatedr in Fig. 3 and showing an adjustable support therefor;

Fig.` 8 is a side elevational view ofthe switch means and support shown inFig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a top plan viewof the switch means and support lshown in Fig. '7 and Fig.Y 10 is a cross-sectional view of a variable diameter pulley which controls the speed of the feeding means of thedevice.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, l0 designates the hemming device embodying the invention. The same comprises a base I I on which is mounted .a frame structure I2 including an. end frame, I2a. The end frame I2a comprises a member I3 suitably secured'to the base II and from either endof which extends avpair of aligned uprightsV I4, I5. The upright l'includes aportionv lila. extending above the endY of uprightl. The uprights I4 and.l5 are interconnected by a cross member I6 anda member I'I which .includes anextension thereof I 8 projecting out.- wardl'y of the upright I4. A member I9 also interconnects the uprights I 4.and I5, being disposed between the cross member I6 and -the member I'I and adjacent .the cross. member I6. The member I9 includes a projecting extension 20 disposed outward-ly of upright4 I4. A member 2| is. secured. on lthe frame I2a, extending diagonally from the intersection of. upright.V I4 and the mem'- ber I9, in an upward and outwardly inclined direction, to the intersection of upright' I5 and member l1, and including a projecting portion 22 extending upwardly and outwardly thereof.

It is understood that the end frame |2a is duplicated at the other end of the base and is in aligned, parallel relationship thereto. The end frames |2a are interconnected by an angle member 23 extending from the intersection of the upright I4 and cross member I6. Members 23a, 23h and 23C similar to the angle member 23 further interconnect the frames I2a at the intersection of uprights I4 and I5. with the member |1 and the intersection of the upright I with the cross member I6. A pair of spaced angle members 24, 24a interconnect the projecting portions I8 of the members l1. The members 24, 24a are formed with a pair of longitudinally spaced transverse slots for the purpose hereinafter described.

Means are provided for feeding fabric A through the device. To this end there is journalled on bearing blocks 25 suitably secured to the ends of projecting portions I 8 of member I1, a shaft 26. A friction roller 21 covered with emery cloth, is secured to the shaft 26. Similarly, bearing blocks 2B are mounted on the ends of diagonal member 22, in which is journalled a shaft 29 to which is secured ya felt covered roller 39. Also mounted on member 22 and in spaced relation to the roller 39, is a felt covered roller 3| which is secured to a shaft 32 journalled on bearing blocks 33. An idler roller 34 is suitably journalled on the upper ends of projection of member I4, in horizontally aligned relationship to the roller 3|.

A constant speed, unidirectional motor 35 is suitably secured to a motor mounting bracket 36 extending from upright I5, towards upright I4. The motor'35 comprises an output shaft 36a Iand a clutching device 31 for-rotatably connecting the shaft to the motor. The clutching device 31 is actuated by atreadle member 38 pivotally mounted on the base II and interconnected to the clutch by a link 39. A hook 49 on the treadle member 38 may be disengageably connected to a latch 4| on the base II, for continuous operation of the shaft 36a. Secured to the output shaft 36a. of motor 35, is a pulley 42 and spaced therefrom, a pair of spaced, smaller pulleys 43, 44. Journalled on upright I4 and extending inwardly thereof, is a shaft 45. Secured to the shaft is a large pulley 46 aligned with pulley 44 and interconnected thereto by belt 46a and flanked on either side thereof by a pair of smaller pulleys 41, 48.

A speed reducing gear box 49 is mounted on a suitable bracket extending from member 23o and comprises an input shaft 59a on which is Secured a variable diameter pulley 59 aligned with pulley 43 on motor shaft 36 and interconnected thereto by a belt 5|. The gear box 49 further comprises an output shaft 52a on which is secured a double pulley 52, 53. The pulley 53 is aligned with a pulley 54 secured on shaft 29 and interconnected thereto by a belt 55. A pulley 56 secured on shaft 29 in spaced relation to pulley 54, is in alignment with a pulley 51 secured on shaft 32 and interconnected thereto by a crossed belt 58. The pulley 52 is in alignment with a pulley 59 secured to shaft 26 and interconnected thereto by belt 69.

A sewing device 6| is suitably mounted between the members 23a and 23h. The sewing device 6| comprises a sewing head 62 which '1S disposed between the end portions of the idler roller 34 and the feed roller 3|. The sewing device 6| further comprises an actuating shaft 63 on which is mounted a pulley 64. The pulley 64 is aligned with pulley 42 on motor shaft 36 and is interconnected thereto by belt 65.

The fabric A which is to be hemmed, is guided into the device I9 by means ofI arset of three spaced, vertically aligned rods 65, 61, 68, suitably mounted on brackets 69 secured to the ends of extension 29 of member I9. Means are also provided for stretching the fabric A laterally as it is received from the guide rod 68. To this end a scroll bar 19 is suitably journalled in the extension 29 of member I9 adjacent the upright I4. The scroll bar 19 comprises two portions 1I, 12 threaded from either end, inwardly towards each other.

The fabric A is fed through the device I9 by means of the rollers 21, 34, 3| and 39. VIt will be apparent that the motor shaft 36a, rotating in a clockwise direction as indicated in Fig. 2 will also impart rotation in a similar direction through the speed reducing gear box 49 to the rollers 21 and 39 which frictionally engage the inner surface of the fabric A. The roller 3| which frictionally engages the outer surface of the fabric A is rotated in a counter clockwise direction by means of the crossed belt 58 connection to roller 39. As the fabric A passes between roller 21 and idler roller 34, an edge portion thereof is folded to produce the desired hem. To this end there is provided folding means 13 disposed between and below the rollers. The folding means comprises a pair of spaced members 14, 15 which extend downwardly from members 24, 24al respectively.

The folding members 14, 15 are formed with through openings which register with the transverse slots in the members 24, 24a respectively. Screws passing through the registering openings and slots together with wing nuts screwed thereon, permit adjustment of the position of the folding members 14, 15 as shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose hereinafter described. Member 14 comprises a bar having a horizontal edge 16 and intersecting therewith, an upwardly and outwardly inclined edge 11 extending at a predetermined angle to the edge 16. The member 15 is a rectangular shaped bar which extends from the member 24a, in a downward and outwardly inclined direction, the lower edge thereof being in aligned relationship with the angular intersection of the edges 16, 11 of member 14.

Means are provided forV keeping the edge B of the fabric A, as it moves through the device in aligned relationship to the sewing device 9|. To this end there is provided a lead screw 89 which is journalled for either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation in bearing blocks 8| (Fig. 4) suitably mounted on the extension 29 of the'member I9. The lead screw 80 is disposed between the guide bar 69 and the scroll bar 19 and comprises a central right hand threaded section 89a and an unthreaded end section 89h. Secured on the end portion 89bof the lead screw 89, spaced from the bearing block 8|, is a clutch disc 82 which has leather facings 83 on either side thereof. Rotatably mounted on the lead screw 89 and disposed on either side of the clutch disc 82, are a pair of clutch pulleys V84, 85. The pulley 84 is aligned with pulley 41 on shaft 45 and interconnected thereto -by a crossed belt 86. Pulley 85 is similarly alignedwith pulley 48 on shaft 4,5 and interconnected thereto by a straight arroces beltf'l.. Also. mounted.on.the,.1eadscrew 80.. are.

thrust. .washers 88.1- on. either. ..side...of" thepulleys.

tolleach other and: lying adjacentv the .other end charm` STO... The v.armatures 9.1.98. vare.resiliently; connected tol a-pih 99. extendingirommhe endllofl` armen-by means. of coiled springfmembers..,I`00r |.0.|f. respectively..

Slidably mounted oni the;L angle membenZ'IiQ-for. horizontal.. movementv` is. a right angle.. bracket. |.02ionwhich isv mounted?. a microswitch.. I 02m-for.. controlling the-V pivoted Ymovement of lbifurcaied` member; 89.-. The bracket. I Ilz-comprises. avertical armv I03,formed. with?-anthrougmopening l 0,4'n which may be aligned with a transverse slot IDF formed in the vertical portion |06 of angle. member23=.r The-arm lvfurther.l comprisesa. turned. edge :portion-|01. which. accommodates. the lower. edge-.of the portion. |06y of the. member^ 2339-. ,The bracket.- |02-.furthe1 comprises. anv anguf-.y lar member comprising a short arm portion.4 .|118F riveted.. to the vertical` arm I 03;.andr. along. arm portion l 09- overlying. the horizontal .portionrllf of .the-member 2 3 .and having.A a..turned. end.. por; t'ofnfaccommodating the outer edge of? theli'ori. zontal-.portiorl I I.of themernberV 23... Aheadd. screwn |I I. passing through the transverse.- slotA |0151 in nthe? vertical portion I 0 6 fof member'. 23 and the' opening. |04 in thevverticalarm |03.of bracket?.v I02-;=. and a wing nutr IIf2,V permits. securing, the, bracket in a predetermined positiom. Extending` outwardly from the-upper end. of.y theivertioal arinf |031-ofvthebracket at horizontal arm| .I 3... Mounted on theouterendof. the arm. 3 the. micro` switch |020,- which. includes.l a. contact:h switch-arm: I I5v disposed overv the .lead screw8 0f,^r` towards.- the. feed roller 2 1.

ImFig; 6. is a'diagrammatic showinggofithe. electr-ical circuit interconnecting .l the` micro-.. switch |02a-z with the solenoids 95 96.1Whiclimrpartpivotedamovement to the member.- |19..-` One. power lead IIE is connected to switch arm....|j|5l; One.- of. ther` switch: contacts II'|.on.,. the micro? counter-clockwise direction due. to the twisted belt connection to the roller 30.V The fabric or' webA is introduced into the deviceV by beingV passed over and under the guide rods 66,. 61, 68 as shown in Fig. 2. The fabric .then passes rear=l wardly, aroundtheiscroll. bar 'I0 which stretches the fabric laterally. The stretched fabricis then brought Vforward and passes into engagement' with the. threadedportion 80a of the screw 80,. moving. upwardly towards the frictional feed roller 21; Thescrew thread portion 80a on the' lead screw 80 `in contact with the fabric is adapted' to move the .fabric Alaterally either to the right rorA the left, depending on the direction' offrotation of the lead screw. When thescrew 00" rotatesV inv a. counter-clockwise direction, the" fabric 'Awill move tothe right looking at Fig. 1.

With clockwise rotation of the lead screw 80 they fabric will move to the left.

Themi'cro-switch I02a. together with its supporting bracket |02. is positioned in a manner to' properly/,align the edge portion B of fabric A withv respect to the sewingidevice 62. The positioning; off`th'e f,micro-switch takesinto account the folding ofthe fabric' edge to produce a hemof de'- siredv widthrbymeans .of the folding device 'I5v whichmay also be adjustably positioned relative tdastitching. line coincident. with thestitching. means'62'andrwhich is disposed between the feed roller. 2l and the sewing device 62.. The bracket |02 i's accordingly positioned sovthat the' switch armi I5 on the micro-switch |02ain its normali position,.wil1.dei"ine a pathA of travel of the fabric A, properly aligning the. edge thereof. Insuch. a position, the switch arm. II5 will be in contact' with the switch contact' I 25 .on the micro-switch. In such a positiomthe solenoid 95 will be energizedlthrough leads ||6|.24, I2| and IIBa. The energized. solenoid 9.5 will move the arm 90 about its ipilvot pin` 9|I in a counter-clockwise direction. The pivoted movement of the arm 90 will have thel effect ofmoving lthe rotating pulley 84 axiallyi into friotional contact' with the clutch disc 82. Since the pulley. 84 rotates in a counter-clock# wise direction, the disc 82 will' also move in the same .direction thereby rotating the lead screw in acounterclockwise direction'.Y As a result, the fabric Afvvilllmovelaterally to the right, as viewed" in" Fig. 1`, until it moves the' switch arm H5 is moved-.outwardly lof its normal position, it makes contactwiththe.v switch contact I Il onthe microswitch: |02a-isz connected. bylead; ||8 .toone'of v theyterminals- I I9 on the solenoid 9.6.- The Vother. terminal |20 on the. solenoid 93isconnectedby., lead.|2| to one of :theterminals |22'fof ,thesolef noid 95. The other terminal `|23on the solenoid` 9.,is `connected byjlead I2l|` to the-other switch, contact` I24.on. the microswitch.. I021L. The ladl'. I2I -is:. interconnected to. the; other power. lead.' Illia...

In the operationpf the-device: I0.the motor. is clutched to the shaft 36a, by means of the treadle actuated.. clutch- 3.1 Theifrotation .of the, shaftla in. a..c1ockwise direction. willlimpart. similar rotation. to. the input pulley 5I) 0f the speedreduction means 49 and the output pulleys'.A 52 53 thereof, which in. turn will,impart..clock switchwliich will'energize the solenoidQthrough' leads I'I6', |I8,'. |2I1 and I ISa. The energized solenoid, 96.willl'then move the arm Se about its' pivot pin,9`| in a clockwise direction. This will have .theeffect of bringingjthe arm 93 into contact' withthe rotating pulley 851and moving it axially intolcontact with. the friction disc 82; Since the pulley 84` rotates in a clockwise direction the lead screw will also rotate in a clockwise direc#- tion, wlfiichmillmove thefabric A laterally to the. left,.as`,vie.wed in Fig.l 1`.v This movement willcon' tinue.until..the switch arm..| I5 is restoredtoitsd riormalposition by. thevmovement of the fabric edge..B/out of contactV therewith.- Accordingly,. theaswitcharm- I 5'.is ,.eifective. in. reversing the lateral shift' ofv the. fabric A within small'- limits,A thereby. maintainingthe edge of'tlrie fabric A in a predetermined` .path of. travel, correctly: aligned.

the inclined folding member 15, thereby producing a second angular fold equal to the first angular fold. The free edge B of the fabric is thus turned inwardly over the body of the fabric A to produce the desired hem, the hemmed fabric continuing its movement upwardly towards the idler roller 34.

The fabric A with its folded hem portion moves from roller 34 horizontally towards theV rear of the device and passes through the sewing device 3| where the hem is stitched. The hemmed fabric then passes into contact with the successive rollers 3| and 30 which frictionally draw the fabric through the device.

It will be noted that the sewing device 6I is directly connected to the constant speed motor 35 by belt 65. In the event that the length of the stitch made by the sewing device 6| is to be changed, the feeding speed of the cloth is varied to produce the desired stitch. To this end, the variable diameter pulley 50 on the speed reducing gear box 49 may be adjusted to regulate the speed of the feed rollers 21, and 3| interconnected to the speed reducing gear box. The variable diameter pulley 5|! comprises a pair of opposed discs |30, |3| keyed on a reduced, threaded end portion |32 of the input shaft 50a. The discs |39, |3| are formed on their inner peripheral portions with edges |33, |34 inclined towards each other. A nut |35 engaging the threaded portion |32 of the shaft 50a and bearing against the disc |3l, is adapted to determine the axial position of the disc |31 with respect to disc |30. In this manner the effective diameter of the pulley 5i) with respect to the belt 5| may be varied, thereby regulating the speed of the output pulleys 52, 53 which in turn determine the speed of the feed roller 21, 30 and 3|.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as Various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, means to feed a flexible web longitudinally, a threaded member adapted to engage said web, said threaded member being rotatable in either direction whereby rotation of said threaded member in one direction will shift the web sideways in one direction, and reverse rotation of said threaded member will shift the web sideways in an opposite direction, means to selectively rotate said threaded member in opposite directions, a switch adapted to contact an edge of the web, and means controlled by said switch to operate said rotating means.

2. In combination, means to feed a :flexible web longitudinally, a threaded member adapted to produce the tol engage said web, said threaded member'bein'grotatable in either direction whereby rotation of said threaded member in one direction will shift the web sideways in oneA direction, and reverse r0- tation of said threaded member will shift the web sideways in an opposite direction, means to selecmotor, and means connected to said motor to rotate said clutch means.

, 3. In a hemming device, the combination of means for feeding a web, means for folding an edge of the web, means for securing the folded edge of the web and means for aligning the edge of the web with respect to said securing means said aligning means comprising a member enggaging said moving web and being rotatable in either direction and having means to shiftl said web laterally in either direction dependingV upon the direction of rotation and means including a switch responsive to contact with an edge of the web, for determining the direction of rotation of said rotatable member.

4. In combination frictional feed rollers for feeding a web, -a threaded member rotatable in either Vdirection and adapted to Aengage said moving web for positioning the moving web relative to said feed rollers means for reversing the direction of rotation of said threaded member and switch means responsive to the contact of the edge of said web for controlling said reversing means. Y

5. In combination, means for moving a web. longitudinally, a'threaded member rotatable in either direction adapted to engage said moving web and to shift said web laterally in either directtion depending upon the direction of rotation of said member, clutch means controlling the direction of rotation of said threaded member, and switch means responsive to the contact ofthe edge of said moving web, for controlling said clutch means. 6. In combination, frictional means for continuously feeding a web longitudinally, rotatablev 1. In a hemming device, the combinationof means for feeding a web, means for folding an edge of the web, means for securing the foldededge of the web and means for aligning the edge of the web with respect to said securing means said aligning means comprising a member engaging a surface of said moving web and being rotatable in either direction depending upon thel direction of rotation and means including a switch responsive to contact with an edge of the web, for determining the direction of rotation of said rotatable member said folding means Vand said switch means being adjustably'positioned with respect to said securing means.

l 8. In combination frictional feed rollers for feeding a web, a threaded member rotatable in either direction and adapted to engage said movtation of said threaded member and switch means responsive to the contact of the edge of said web for controlling said reversing means said threaded member having a friction disc thereon, said reversing means comprising a pair of oppositely rotatable members selectively engageable with said friction disc, a pivoted member having portions thereof selectively engageable with said oppositely rotating members, and a pair of solenoid means connected to said pivoted member and interconnected to said switch means.

9. In a fabric hemming device comprising web feeding rollers, folding means for continuously forming a hem in the moving web and sewing means for continuously securing the hemmed portion of the moving web, means for continuously aligning the edge of said moving web with respect to said sewing means, said aligning means comprising a rotatable lead screw adapted t engage said moving web, means for selectively rotating said lead screw, in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, means for determining the direction of rotation of said lead screw, said determining means comprising a switch responsive to the relative position of the edge of the moving web for selectively actuating said rotating means in one direction or the other.

10. In combination, means to feed a fabric web, means to hem an edge of said web, means to stitch said hem, and means to shift said web toward alignment of a predetermined hem stitching line with the stitching means automatically upon said web shifting and moving said line, away from said stitching means, a single unidirectional electric motor, means connected to said motor for operating said feeding means and stitching means, said shifting means including a rotary bar adapted to engage said web and being formed with a helical groove, a reversing clutch interposed between said motor and said rotary bar, a switch adapted to be contacted by an edge of said web and means controlled by said switch for operating said reversing clutch.

11. In combination, means to feed a fabric web, means to hem an edge of said web, means to stitch said hem, and means to shift said web toward alignment of a predetermined hem stitching line with the stitching means automatically upon said web shifting and moving said line, away from said stitching means, a single unidirectional electric motor, means connected t0 said motor for operating said feeding means and stitching means, said shifting means including a rotary bar adapted to engage said web and being formed with a helical groove, a reversing clutch interposed between said motor and said rotary bar, a switch adapted to be contacted by an edge of said web and means controlled by said switch for operating said reversing clutch and means varying the speed of the feeding means without varying the speed of operation of the stitching means.

12. In combination, means to feed a fabric web, means to hem an edge of said web, means to stitch said hem, and means to shift said web toward alignment of a predetermined hem stitching line with the stitching means automatically upon said `web shifting and moving said line, away from said stitching means, a single unidirectional electric motor, means connected to said motor for operating said feeding means and stitching means, said shiftingrmeans including .a rotary bar adapted to engage said web and being formed with a helical groove, a reversing clutch interposed between said motor and said rotary bar, a switch adapted to be contacted by 'an edge of said web and means controlled by said Vais switch for operating said reversing clutch and means varying the speed of the feeding means f'without varying the speed of operation of the stitching means and means to adjust the positions of the switch means and hemming means to permit varying of the width of the hem and to permit adjustment of the web relative to the stitching means.

PAUL LEVDIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: 

